Virtual stadium in Nicaragua for World Cup telecast

Managua (Nicaragua), July 8 (IANS) Some 30,000 Nicaraguan football fans will be able to watch the World Cup matches at a virtual stadium set up by the government.

Milton Ruiz, the coordinator of Nicaragua's Alexis Arguello Sports Movement, said the facility in Managua was ready to feature the semi-final match between Brazil and Germany Tuesday.

The bleachers, giant screen and broadcasting gear were installed for the semi-finals and final, Ruiz told reporters here.

Nicaraguan football fans are expecting to see Brazil defeat Germany, even with star footballer Neymar out of the competition due to a back injury sustained in their match against Colombia.

Nicaragua's Virtual Stadium has been erected at the Plaza de las Victorias in Managua's Zona Rosa district, an area usually reserved for political rallies by the ruling Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN).

The site will bring the World Cup to the fans, just as the Fan Fests organised in Brazil by the world football governing body FIFA allow people with no tickets to the games in the 12 host cities to gather and watch the matches on giant screens.

Nicaragua's Fan Fest "will be totally free for the entire Nicaraguan family", so those who want can watch "the live transmission of the semi-final and final games", said Ruiz.

Argentina will face the Netherlands Wednesday in the second semi-final match, followed by the third-place match Saturday and the final championship match July 13.